Public Hearing
October 9, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
A public hearing of the Forest City Community School Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Gary Ludwig at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa. Members present: David Reese, Eric Kingland, Gary Ludwig, Troy Thompson, Keila Buffington, and Kim Severson. Absent: Beth Clouse. The President announced that this is the time, place and date to hold a public hearing on a resolution to expend funds from the district's Flexibility Account for director salaries and benefits. These funds, in the amount of $175,000 were unexpended and unobligated from source Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC). There were no written or oral comments. After discussion, President Ludwig declared the hearing closed at 6:31 p.m.
Regular Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on October 9, 2023 at 6:31 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order President Gary Ludwig. Members present: David Reese, Eric Kingland, Gary Ludwig, Troy Thompson, Keila Buffington, and Kim Severson. Absent: Beth Clouse. Keila Buffington moved to approve the agenda. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
● Middle School Principal, Sarah Leichsenring, presented on student attendance, SEL lessons, and family communications.
● Director of Teaching and Learning, Zach Dillavou, presented on A.I. tools for teachers, ISAAP data, attendance focus, and literacy curriculum.
● Sec’y Meinders presented to the board information in regards to the employee wellness incentive program, upcoming deadlines, and a summary of the monthly financial statements.
● Sup’t Lehmann provided information about the IASB conference, football scoreboard and sound system (lightning strike), enrollment update, the recent high school marching band division I rating, WCDA funding opportunity and FFA test plot.
Beth Clouse entered the meeting at 7:09 p.m. The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the September 11, 2023 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts and contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, sick leave bank request, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion, Troy Thompson moved to approve all consent agenda items, Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
● Open Enrollment (In): Hailea Finger, Drew Froendt, Ayden Mayo, Zayne Ramirez
● Open Enrollment (Out): McKenzie Flugum, Aurora Henn, Dottie Gardner, Ellie Gardner, Kyra Juarez, Kiylee Schmidt.
● Employee Contracts: Kathleen Lampman, Elementary Para; Melissa Phillips, Vocal Music Accompanist
● Employee Contract Adjustments: Bob Ritter (hours adjustment), Samantha Holt (hours adjustment)
In Old Business, Kim Severson moved, Eric Kingland seconded to approve a resolution to expend funds from the district's flexibility account for director salaries and benefits. These funds, in the amount of $175,000 were unexpended and unobligated from source Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC). Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders updated the board on upcoming School Board Elections to be held on November 7, 2023.
Sup’t Lehmann updated the board on the elementary gym floor replacement which required a re-bid due to underlayment issues. Troy Thompson moved, David Reece seconded, to approve the bid from H2I $64,082.52. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
In new business, board policies were reviewed: 413.1, 413.1R1FC, 413.2, 413.3, 413.4 ,413.5, 413.5R1FC ,414. Troy Thompson moved to approve the policies as presented, Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented the recently submitted Annual Transportation Report (ATR) as submitted to the Iowa Department of Education for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Sec’y Meinders presented the 2022-23 Special Education Supplement (SES) as submitted to the Iowa Department of Education along with a request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for allowable growth due to the negative special education balance. Keila Buffington moved to approve the SBRC request of $550,165.88 in allowable growth as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented the district’s 2022-23 Annual Financial Health Report along with a summary of the recently submitted Certified Annual Report (CAR) to the Iowa Department of Education. Kim Severson moved to approve the financial health analysis as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the sale of property valued less than $25,000 to I35 Auctions for metal lockers at a price of $269.95. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Keila Buffington seconded to authorize the district’s administration to submit a request to the SBRC for $61,589.49 related to LEP Allowable Costs for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the reinvestment of district funds as presented by Sec’y Meinders. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders requested for the approval of an interfund loan resolution totaling $100,500 from the general fund with $100,000 being transferred to the management fund and $500 to the agency fund for a temporary need. Beth Clouse, moved to approve the resolution as presented. Keith Buffington seconded. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. Funds will be paid back to the General Fund on or before June 30, 2024 with expected revenues.
Sup’t Lehmann presented Board of Education and Superintendent priorities for 2023-24 for consideration. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. Troy Thompson moved to approve the following priorities as presented: Portrait of a Graduate, strategic planning process, financial/facilities planning, new board member on-boarding, elementary math curriculum implementation, elementary English/Language Arts curriculum review, and chronic absentee initiative. Kim Severson seconded. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
November 13, 2023 meeting topics were discussed.
Troy Thompson motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Gary Ludwig, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
